Know Your Enemy jumps over to the AFC North. Let’s start our Monday with the Cleveland Browns. Kevin Stefanski returns as HC after a rough year. Tommy Rees is the OC and our old pal Jim Schwartz is the defensive coordinator. Browns went 3-14 in 2024 going 2-6 at home 1-8 on the road. Ngata good football team allowing 25.6 PPG and only scoring 15.6 PPG.
Offense
The Browns have a 4 person QB battle and a 5th QB taking up a huge amount cap space from the worst trade and deal ever in DeShaun Watson. They couldn’t massage their way with him off the roster. Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, rookie Dillon Gabriel and rookie Shedeur Sanders is the QB battle. Unknown who the North teams will face but really none of them should worry anybody.
Jerome Ford is the top back with 564 yards at 5.4 YPG. 2nd round pick Quinshon Judkins is the only unsigned draft pick and has a pending domestic violence dispute. You got to feel bad for Browns fans. Weapon wise, Jerry Jeudy leads the way (1,229 yards and 4 TDs) with Cedric Titllman (339 yards and 3 TDS) needing to step up. DeAndre Carter is a new addition along with Diontae Johnson on his 4th team. TE David Njoku is a good player but only had 505 yards and 5 TDs in 11 games in 2024.
Offensive line looks solid despite losing LT Willis. Dawand Jones is the left tackle, Joel Bitonio is a good left guard, Ethan Pocic is the center, Wyatt Teller is a solid RG and Jack Conklin is a good RT. Teven Jenkins, Cornelius Lucas, Jackson Barton and 2024 3rd round pick Zak Zinter provides some depth.
Browns offense can’t be worse than 2024 but it doesn’t look good for 2025.
Defense
DE Myles Garrett got paid and is one of the best EDGEs in football still. Mason Graham was drafted in Round 1 at nose tackle and Maliek Collins was added at 3 technique. Isiah McQuire will need to step up at EDGE and Joe Tryon (former Buc 1st rounder) was added. Michael Hall is solid 2nd round DT depth in year 2 bu he had off field issues as well. Shelby Harris is good veteran DT depth too. Alex Wright and Julian Okwara round out the EDGE depth. It’s all about Garrett and newbie Graham to keep the Browns strong up front.
Carson Schwesinger is the rookie MIKE LB from Round 2 from UCLA and Devin Bush will be play Will LB for Jeremiah Owusu Kormoah who has health issues. Jerome Baker is good veteran LB depth though.
Secondary has some strengths in stud corner Denzel Ward, safety Grant Delpit and nickel back Greg Newsome. Marin Emerson and Ronnie Hickman will have to step up at CB2 and safety. Rayshawn Jenkins and Damontae Kazee is solid safety depth too. Nik Needham is experienced slot CB depth as well.
The Browns could have a solid defense but if the offense struggles they will be put to the test and might have poor stats and TDS allowed from field position.
Schedule
Cleveland hosts Green Bay in Week 3 and Minnesota in London in Week 5. The Browns travel to the Lions in Week 4 and to Chicago in Week 15. Every NFC North team should beat the Browns.